Unseen Poetry
2013 - The Fist - Derek Walcott
Tip
Examiners are increasingly
looking for an analysis of the
language of the poem rather
than a general personal
response. In the next slide I
have given a checklist you
should look for in each poem.
There will be examples of
several of these in any unseen
poem. Trust me!
In each and every case, be
prepared to talk about the
effect of each feature of style.
When analysing unseen
poems, look out for…
The title: all possible meanings/connotations
Simple or complex language (it is usually quite simple in unseen poems but may express a
complex emotion)
Metaphors and similes
Personification
Assonance/alliteration
Harsh or soft vowel/consonant sounds
Onomatopoeia
Enjambment/Run-on lines
Changes in rhythm and/or punctuation
Negative/positive words
Title
What does the title suggest?
In this case, it could be violence or even
holding tight to something.
Do both or either of these meanings fit in
with your understanding of the poem?
First Verse
Pain of love is likened to a
fist clutching his heart
There is a sense that love
might actually kill the poet
There are moments of relief,
like a drowning man
breaking the surface of the
water
Relief is short-lived: the fist
‘tightens again’
Duality
The poet says he has always
loved the pain of love.
There is a difference,
however, between the
bittersweet intensity of new
love and the deeply painful
and damaging.
The poet feels he is crossing
over into dangerous
territory.
Second Verse
Vivid and horrifying image
Fist clutching ‘the ledge of unreason’
One slip and he will fall
Enjambment adds to sense of emotions hurtling out
of control
Long vowel sound in the word ‘howling’ adds to
sense of fear
Last Line
Change
Steady rhythm gives a sense of control
regained
Poet seems to be holding on to reason
Addresses heart as if it were a separate
entity - detaches him somewhat from
overwhelming emotion
Words ‘at least’ seem to indicate that
the decision to ‘hold hard’ is not
without its own pain and is merely the
lesser of two evils
Last line stands alone: does this emphasise
the poet’s determination to maintain a certain
distance in his relationship?
He does not want to be dragged down into
‘the abyss’ of his emotion
Regular rhythm: iambic pentameter gives a
clear and controlled ending to the poem;
contrasts with highly-charged, emotional,
fast- paced previous stanza.
Rhythm mirrors a steady heartbeat: does
this signal that his heart is not racing any
more?
Simple, monosyllabic words add force to
his declaration
Sad message in a way: intense love is
painful
Language
Simple language to express a complex emotion
Rhetorical question in first stanza draws us in and
helps us to engage with Walcott’s feelings
Juxtaposition of ‘pain’ and ‘love’ as well as ‘fist’
and ‘heart’ make us think of love being connected
with pain and emotional violence or hurt
Startling metaphor comparing love to the ‘strong
clench / of the madman’
Onomatopoeic word ‘howling’ with its
long ‘ow’ sound effectively conveys the
agony and fear the poet sees in
surrendering to the ‘mania’ of this type of
love
Repeated ‘h’ sounds in the first
alliterative sentence of the last line mimic
the exhalation of breath - sense of relief /
breathing freely?